Roof-framing rule



Septn 4, 192s.

G. P. BILLINGS Roo1=l FRAMING RULE- Filed Aug. 22, 1927 G6019@ Plllln s Inl/enfin Patented Sept. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES GEORGE P. BILLINGS, OF ALBANY, WISCONSIN.

ROOF-FRAMING RULE.

Application filed August 22, 1927. Serial No. 214,627.

This invention relates to a roof framing rule designed to facilitate cutting of roof framing members to the proper length and at the proper angles for roofs of various inclinations.

It is an object of the invention to provide an extensible rule with a scale by which its length may be varied to measure lengths in the plane of a roof in units proportional to standard units of length along the horizontal in a plane perpendicular to the ridge.

A further object is to provide means by which the length of the rule may bc varied to measure either along the pitch line of the roof or along hips or valleys in units proportional to standard units of length along the horizontal in a. plane perpendicular to the ridge, so that hip and valley rafters may be measured as well as common rafters, jacks and cripples.

A further object of the invention is to provide means on the rule for measuring predetermined fractional portions of the length of the rule.

A further object is to provide 011 the rule means for indicating the setting of a carpenters square for plumb and level cuts on all rafters and also for Side cuts on hip and valley rafters, jacks, cripples and roof boards.

A further object is to provide means on the rule for indicating differences in lengths of jacks, placed at different designated distances apart.

IVith the above and other objects in view, the invention may be said to comprise the rule as illustrated in the accompanying drawings hereinafter described and particularly set t'orth in the appended claims, together with such variations and modifications thereof as will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention appertains.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings 'forming a part of the specication in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing a roof rafter to which a carpenter-s square is set in a position for marking plumb and level cuts.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a portion of a hip roof and the setting of a square for the side cut on a jack.

Fig. 3 is a diagran'lmatic plan View of a hip roof.

Fig. 4 is atop plan view of the rule.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the rule.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the lower scale bar.

l Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the lower scale aar.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the upper scale bar.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, there is shown a raftcl' l extending from a wall plate 2 t0 a ridge plate 3. As shown in the drawing, the inclination is such that the rafter has an 8 rise per horizontal foot. In measuring rafters for a roof, it is common practice to measure from a point on the top of the rafter directly over the outer edge of the wall plate to the pitch line of the roof, this dimension being designated A in the drawing, and also to measure from the point over the outer edge of the wall plate the dimension indicated as B in the drawing for the overhang. The distance measured horizontally from the outer edge of the wall to the center plane of the ridge is equal to one-half of the width of the building and it will be obvious that the length of the rafter from the plane ot' the outer face of the wall to the ridge will be the h vpotenuse of a right angled triangle whose base is one-half the width ot' the building and whose altitude is the rise of the rafter from the wall plate to the ridge plate, or, in other words. the dimension A is equal to one-half the width of the building times the secant of the angle of inclination.

In measuring the length of the rafter, it is common practice to disregard one-half the thickness ot the ridge plate with the result that the pitch of the roof is slightly steeper than it would be if the rafter were cut to the theoretically correct length, but this slightly steeper pitch insures that the heel of the rafter will tightly engage the side face of the ridge plate, a condition which is most desirable. The present invention has nothing to do with the measurement of the dimension B indicated in Fig. 1, this projection being governed b v the width and style of cornice to be used, and this dimension is usually a length equal to a multiple ofthe width of the planarboard.

The hip and valley rafters ordinarily eX- tend at an angle of 450 to the wall measured on the horizontal, and the length of the hip or valley rafter will be equal to the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle whose base is equal to one half the width of the building times the seeant of 45o, i. c., times the square root of 2 and whose altitude is equal to the rise of the rafter from the wall plate to the ridge plate. Fig. 3 of the drawing shows diagrammatically a hip roof in which the hip rafters extend at an angle of 45 to the end walls, the angle being' measured on the horizontal.

In hip and valley roofs there are short rafters commonly known as jacks and cripples. the rafters known as jacks extending from a hip rafter to the wall plate and the raftersknown as cripples extending from a valley rafter to a hip rafter, to a ridge or to a deck. In Fig. 2, there is shown a hip rafter l1- with jacks 5 extending from the rafter t to the wall plate 2.

The present invention consists of an extensible rule provided with suitable scales by whichl the rule can be readily adjusted to z-neasure hip and valley rafters and common rafters` jacks and eripples, and with means for indicating the proper setting of the car peuters square for marking plumb, level and side cuts on all rafters,` jacks, cripples and roof boards.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 8 of the drawing' which show the rule which forms the subject matter of the present invention, it will be observed that this rule consists of an upper scale bar l() which is telesctm-ically connected to a lower scale bar 11, the scale bar 1() being mounted to slide in a clip 12, secured by a screw 13 to one endu of the bar 11 and in a clip 14 which encircles the bars intermediate the ends thereof and' whichA provided with a set screw 15, by which the bars may be clamped in adjusted posit-ions.

Upon the upper face of the lower scale har 11, there is provided preferably adjacent an end thereof` a scale formed' by `eraduations 16, extendingr across the face of the bar. Longitudinal lines 17 and 18 provide central spaces 19 between the `graduation 16 and in these spaces are numerals 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 designating the successive graduations 16. The numerals 6 to 12' indicate different roof inclinations in terms of the number of inches rise per foot in a roof, the 6 to 12 inclina-- tions being those most commonly employed in roof construction. i

The length of the space between each of the ze'mduations 16 and the zero point of the scale, which is preferably at the end of the bar, plus a predetermined fixed length, is equal to a selected unit of length times the secant of the indicated angle of the inclination. It will be apparent. therefore. that if the predetermined fixed leneth be laid off on the upper scale bar 10, from the right hand end as shown in the drawii'ra` and the bar 1() be adjusted until its right hand end registers with a given graduation 16, the distance from the zero point of the scale to the measuring point on the bar 10 will be equal to the selected unit of length times the secant of the angle to which the rule is set. For convenience in measuring, the zero point of the scale in the rule herein shown is at one end of the lower bar 11 and the upper bar 10 has a length eqnal to the predetermined: lined length so that its measuring point is at the end thereof opposite the end which overlies the scale, therefore, for any adjustment of the rule determined by the common raftcr scale, the length of the extended rule is equal to the selected unit of length, times the secant of the angle of inclination indicated by the graduation on the scale with which the end of the bar 10 is alined.

For instance, if the rule is so ,graduated that its length when set to one of the graduations 16 is equal to 2 times the secant ot' the indicated angle of inclination, or. in the terms of the roof trainer, two rafter feet.. and the length of the bar 10 be denoted as a". the distance of each of the graduations 16 vfrom the end of the bafr 1'1 at which the Zero point of the scalev is located willbe 2 times the secant of the indicated angle of inclination, minus a. The bars 10 and 11 are preferably of the same length and, in order to provide a spacing of the graduations and an arrangement of the scales with which the rule is provided which will be convenient and which will avoid confusion in the use of ther rule, the length of the bars is preferably somewhat greater than the horizontal componcnt of the rafter feet measured by thc extended rule. If the rule is designed to measure two rafter feet, a convenient and practical length for the scale bars has been found to be 253/4.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, the dimension marked C is equal to one-half the width of the buildingandthe rafter 1 has a rise of 8 per foot. Assuming that the rule is graduated to measure two rafter feet and that onehalf the width of the building is 16. the length A on the rafter 1 can be measured by simply adjustingT the bar 10 until the end thereof registers with the graduation marked 8 on the scale. The length of the rule will now be 2 times the secant of the angle which has an 8 rise per horizontal foot, and the length A on the rafter 1 may be measured by laying' olf the length of the rule t? times from an end of the rafter.

Between the lines 17 and 18 of the sf a le and the opposite edges ofthe scale bar a re spaces 20 and 21 between successive graduations 10, which are utilized for data indicatinsgt the setting of a carpcnters square for plumb and level cuts on common rafters and for side cuts on jacks. cripples and roof boards. In the spaces 20 are placed numerals corresponding to the inch numerals on the two legs of a carpenters square to which the square should be set for marking plumb and level cuts. In the spaces 21 are placed the numerals corresponding to the inch numerals to which the two lels of the carpenter square should be set for markingy side cuts for jacks, cripples or roof boards for each indicated inclination, The data for the various cuts :tio

for the root traine members at each root' inclination are in the spaces to the right ot the graduation 1G tor the given inclination so that the data Ytor the various cuts lor anti,Y given root inclination is alwahvs in the space inunediatel)7 adjacent the end ot the upper har ltl when the rule is set to measure at the Ariven inclination. VIt the root inclination is at a risc ot i per 'l'oot as shown in Figs. l and the right hand end o'tl har lt) 'will he alined with the grat'luation marked H and in the spaces 2t) and 2l iminelliatclj,v to the right ol the end ot the ha r l() will appeal' the numerals 172-9, l-lllj/Q. For pluInlo and level cuts. the carpenter`s square will he set to the niilnerals 8 and l2` as shown in Fig. Vl. the plumb cuts being along the leg` ot the sqna re set to the numeral 8 and the level cuts heine' along the leg ot the square set lo the numeral 12.

For side ents Ylor jacks, cripples and root hoards at the 8 inclination. the square will he set to the numerals 1:2 and lli/efe as indi-- cated in the space 'Zl imniediateiv adjacent the end of the har l() when the rnle is set to measure at this inclination. The setting' ot' the square tor side culs is shown in Fie'. L. the cut loeingy made along' the le.;` ot' the square set to the numeral other than 1;.

'lhe har 11 is [n'ovided on its upper Al'ace with a second scale termed hiv transverse graduations 22 whicharc positioned hevond the inner end ot the tirst scale. these graditaH tions being designated (L 7. S, t), lt), ll and l2 to correspond with the designations in the common ratter scale. The zero point ot this second scale is identical with the zero point ot the tirst scale heinev at the right hand end ot the scale bar ll. This second scale is tor the purpose ot measuring! the length ot hip and valley rafters and the distance ol each ot' the graduations f1.2 trom the end ot the bar 11 is such that when the liar 'ttl is adjusted to a position in which its rief' t' hand end is in alinement with the given ya'mliaitioii, the length ot the extended rule is in the same proportion to the selected unit ot length as the lei'igth o't the hip or valle)Y ra liter in a root ot the designated inclination is to the length ot its horizontal projection which ordinarily is one-halt' the width ot the huilding.

The graduations QQ are intersectwl h v continnations ot the lines l? and l@ providing' central spaces 23 t'or the numeralsl designating,- the graduations and providing' onter spaces Qt and Q5 to receive data indicated in the setting ot a carpentei"s sqnare tor makina plumb level and side cuts on the hip and val ley rafters7 the spaces 2-1 receiving' the data 'tor plumb and level ents and the spaces receiving' the data for side culs, Since the hip and valley rafters commonly extend at l5 to the side walls measured on the horizontal. it will be apparent that for every toot it advances toward the ridge on a horizontal line, it advances laterally a toot on the horizontal lille so that instead ot having' 12 as a hase line, we have the diagonal ol a l2 inch square or 12 times the square root ot 2, which is apprtnximatelj.v 1T, and tor plnmh and level cats, the ca rpentcrs square has one leg' set at 17 and the other to the nuinher oi' inches rise per t'oot in the root' as indicated on the second scale on the har 11.

in view ot the greater length ol hip and vallejyv rafters, the two scales having their Zero point atI the same end o'l the har can, hiv making' the liars ot the proper length as above explained, he laid out Yl'or the root inclinationsl crinnmonlvvr used with one scale entirely clear ot' the other, and with the two scales so spaced and designated that there fan he no confusion as to the proper setting ot the rnle 'l'or measuring the lengths ot rafters.

Since halt the width o'l the building maj-,f not he an even numher ot teet, it is desiralile that the rnle he provided with means hv which fractional portions otl its length in any extended position 111:157 he measured. 'ilo accomplish this`r the lower Ytace of the har l1 is provided with a scale 26, having .lradnations designated 7, S, l), l0, 1l and 12 and each ot' the e'radnations sodesignated is at a distance Ytrom an end ot the har equal to a predetermined tri'ictional part ot the numher of units ot length measured hy the ride times the secant' ol' the indicated angle ol inclination so that for any setting; oll the rule, 'this fractional part of the length may he measured from the graduation on the scale 2G corresponding to the le'radnation on the common ratter scale to which the rule is set to an end ot the rule. As herein shown, the distance 'trom each ot the gradnations on the scale :2G to the right hand end ol tlie har 1l is equal to one halt ot the selected unit ot measurement times the secant o! the indicated angle. so that the distance t'rom each graduation on the scale Q6 to the end otl the har 'll is equal to one-halt the length ot the extended rule when it is set to the correspondingr graduation on the con'nnon ratter scale.

To the lett ot the scale Q6 is a second scale QT also having Alradnations designated 6, 7, S. l). it), l1 and 1Q and this scale is tor the purpose ot measuring' a fractional part of the total length ot the rule. when the same is set 'l'or measuring hip or valle)v ra liters. As herein shown, the spacing' ol' thc `L'radnations ot the scale JT trom the right hand end of the har ll is ,such that Vwhen the rnle is set to the corresponding ,fr 'adnation in the hip and vallexv scale, the graduation on the scale 27 will he at the center ot the rule.

At the right hand end ol the har ll on the hottom tace thereof. the rule is provided with means 'tot' measuring ra'l'ter inches tor ratters at various inclinations. This portion ot the 'l'ace ot' the har is divided hv a longitullt) dinal line 28 upon one side of which transverse lines 29 are provided forming spaces ttt) between them and on the other side of which are provided transverse lines 31 forming spaces 32 between them. Spaces 30 are designated to indicate successive roof inclinations and each space is ol a length correrspending to one transverse horizontal inch measured along a hip or valley rafter in a root ot the designated inclination. The spaces 32 are designated to indicate successive roo f inclinations and each is of a length corresponding to one horizontal inch measured along a common rafter at the indicated inclination.

As shown in Fig. tt ot the drawings, the upper scale har 10 is provided on its under tace with a table showing differences in the lengths of jacks at different, standard spacings and also for cripples Where there is z dilllerence in their lengths. This table has vertical and horizontal columns Jformed by transverse and longitudinal lines Ps3 and 34 and is provided with heading spaces 35 at the tops of the vertical columns in which are imlicated the successive root inclinations and at the left hand ends of the horizontal columns there are heading spaces 36 in which are placed headings indicating different spacings of the jacks. In each of the spaces 3T. the difference in lengths of jacks for the designated inclination ot root and for the designated spacing of the jacks is indicated.

It will he apparent that the rule above described can be very quickly set for measuring either common ratters jacks and cripples or hip or valley rafters; that Where the Width ot' the building is not an even number of feet, odd feet and inches may be measured by means of the scales on the bottom of the loar ll that for each setting of the rule, the proper setting of the carpenters square for plumb level and side ents is automatically indicated; and that by reference to the table on the bottoni ot' the har l0. jacks and cripples running from a valley to a ridge or to a decl; may be, readilyY cnt to their proper lengths.

'hat I cla iin is:

l. A roof framing rule comprising a pair ot' telescopically connected bars, one of which is provided With a scale having a zero point and consisting ot graduations spaced longitudinally of the bar and suitably designated to indicate progressively increasing angles of roof inclination. the other of said bars having` an end adjustable along the scale into register with any one of said gradnations and having a measuring point thereon` each graduation on the scale being spaced from the zero point a distance such that the distance from the zero point to the measuring point when the rule is set to the graduation is equal to a selected unit of measurement multiplied by the secant of the angle indicated by the `graduation on the scale with which the end oit' the second bar register.

A roof framing rule comprising a pair ot' telescopically connected bars, one of which is provided with a scale extending longitudinally thereof and having its zero point at an end of the bar and consisting of spaced graduations suitably designated to indicate progressively increasing angles of roof inclinatiem the other of said bars having one end adjustable along the. scale into register with anyV one of the graduations, cach graduation on the scale being spaced from the zero point a distance equal to the ditference between a length correspomling to a selected unit of ineasnren'ient times the secant of the indicated angle of inclination and the length of the last. mentioned bar.

f3. A roof framing rule comprising a pair cf telescopically connected bars.v one ol' which is provided with a scale extending longitndi nally thereof and having its zero point at an end ofthe bar and (consisting ol' spaced grad nations suitably designated to indicate progressively increasing angles of rootl inclination, the other ot said bars having one. end adjustable along the scale into register with any one o' the graduations,y each graduation on the scale being spaced from the zero point a distance equal to the dillerence between a length corresponding to a selected unit of measurement times the secant of the indicated angle of inclination and the length of the last mentioned bar. each space between gradnalions of said scale having printed therein data indicating the proper setting of a -:ii'lwiitei-"s square for plumb and level cuts for rafters at the inclination indicated by the `graduation at the side of the space aivay from the zero point.

4. A roof framing rule comprising a pair of telescopically connected bars`r one of which is provided with a `scale extending longitndi nally thereof and having itsI zero point at an end of the bar and consisting of spaced gradnations suitably designated to indicate progressively increasing angles ot' roof inclination, the other of said bars having one end adjustable along the scale into register `with any one of the gradnations, cach graduation on the scale being spaced from the zero point a distance equal to the difference between a length cmresi'ionding to a selected unit of nnmsnreinent times the secant of the indicated angle of inclination and the length of the last mentioned bar. one of said bars having a scale thereon provided with gradnations graduated to correspond with the graduations of the first mentioned scale and each lying at a distance from an end of the bar which is a predetermined fractional part of the length of the extended rule when the same is set to the corresponding graduation on the rst mentioned bar.

5. A roof framing rule comprising a pair of telescopieally connected bars, one of which is provided with a scale extending longi tudinally thereof and having its Zero point :it an end of the bar and consisting of spaced graduations suitably designated to indicate, progressively, angles of roof inclination varying from one indicated graduation to the next and between selected limits. one inch in rise per horizontal foot, the other of said bars having an end adjustable along the scale into alinement with any one of the graduations, each graduation being at a distance from the zero point of the scale such that the length of the extended rule when set to any graduation is equal to a selected unit of measurement multiplied by the secant of the indicated angle.

6. A roof framing rule comprising a pair of telescopically connected bars, one of which is provided With a scale extending longitudinally thereof and having its zero point at an end of the bar and consisting of spaced graduations suitably designated to indicate, progressively, angles of roof inclination varying from one indicated graduation to the next and between selected lin/lits, one inch in rise per horizontal foot, the other of said bars having an end adjustable along the scale into register with any one of the graduations, each graduation being at a distance from the Zero point of the scale such that the length of the extended rule when set to any graduation is equal to the distance along a common rafter between vertical planes parallel with the ridge and spaced apart a distance equal to a selected unit of length, said vtirst mentioned bar having a second scale consisting of spaced graduations designated in a manner similar to the tirst scale, each graduation of the second scale being spaced from the zero point of the first scale a distance such that the length of the extended rule when the adjustable bar is set to a graduation of the second scale is equal to the distance along a hip or valley rafter between vertical planes parallel with the ridge and spaced apart a distance equal to said selected unit of length.

7. A roof framing rule comprising a` pair of telescopically connected bars, one provided with a scale for indicating adjustn'ients of the rule for measuring common roof rafters for roofs of different inclinations and one provided With a scale indicating adjustments of the rule for measuring hip or valley rafters for different roof inclinations, the graduations of both scales being designated to inrdicate roof inclinations, the spaces between gradnations bearing data indicating the set-- ting of a carpenters square for plumb, level and side cuts at the roof inclinations indicated by adjacent graduations.

8. A roof framing rule comprising a pair of telescopically connected bars, one provided with a scale for indicating adjustments of the rule for measuring common root rafters for roofs of different inclinations and one provided with a scale indicating adjustments of the rule for measuring hip oir valley rafters for different roof inclinations, the gradi uations of both scales being designated to indicate roof inclinations, one of said bars being provided with graduations for indicating the center point of the rule in each of its extended settings with reference to said scales.

S). A roof framing rule comprising a pair of telescopically connected bars.. one provided with a scale for indicating adjustments of the rule for measuring common roof rafters for roofs of different inclinations and one provided With a scale indicating yadjustments of the rule for measuring hip and valley rafters for different roof inclinations, the graduations of both scales being designated to indicate roof inclinations, said rule having on one of the bars graduated spaces desig nated to correspond to the designations of the graduations of the common rafter scale and each of a length equal to the length along a common rafter at the designated inclination which measures a selected unit of length along the horizontal, and other graduated spaces each corresponding in length to the length along a diagonally extending rafter in a roof of the designated inclination which measures a selected unit of length along the horizontal at right angles to the ridge.

10. A roof framing rule comprising a pair of telescopically connected bars provided with graduated scales suitably designated to indicate the adjustment of one of the bars with respect to the other to set the rule to the proper length for measuring common rafters or for measuring hip or valley rafters. for roofs of different designated inclinations, said scales having data associated therewith for indicating the setting of a carpentei"s square for plumb and level cuts and side cuts on roof frame members. one of said bars having thereon a table showing the diiferences in length of jack rafters spaced at given distances apart.

1l. A roof framing rule comprising a pair of telescopically connected bars provided with graduated scales suitably designated to indicate the adjustment of one of the bars With respect to the other to set the rule to the proper length for measuring a predetermined number of common ra fter feet or for measuringl a predetermined number of hip or valley rafter feet for roofs of various designated inclinations. one of said bars having scales for measuring a common single rafter foot or a single hip or valley rafter foot at each designated inclination. and one of the bars having scales for n'ieasuring a single common rafter inch or a single hip or valley rafter inch at each designated inclination.

12. A roof framing rule comprising a pair 'of telescopically connected bars provided With graduated scales suitably designated to indicate the adjustment of one of the bars with respect to the other t0 extend the rule to the proper length for measuring common rafters or for measuring hip or valley rafters, for roofs of diilcrent designated inclinations, both said scales being on the same bar and having a common zero point, said scales being on longitudinally spaced portions of the bar.

13. A roof framing rule comprising a pair of telescopically connected bars provided with graduated scales suitably designated to indicate the adjustment of one of the bars with respect to the other to set the rule to the proper length for measuring common rafters or for measuring hip or Valley rafters for roofs of different designated inclinations, additional scales for indicating predeter` mined fractional portions of the length of the rule when set to any graduation oiE the first mentioned scales, all of said scales being on the same bar and being on longitudinally spaced portions of said bar.

14. A roof framing rule comprising a pair oi telescopically connected bars provided with graduated scales suitably designated to indicate the adjustment of one of the bars with respect to the other to set the rule to the proper length for measuring common raters or for measuring hip or valley rafters for roofs ot different designated inclinations, additional scales for indicating predetermined fractional portions oi the length of the rule when set to any graduation of the first mentioned scales. all ot' said scales being on the same har and being on longitudinally spaced portions of said bar, and all of said scales having a common Zero point.

1n testimony whereof l aflx my signature,

GEORGE P. BlLLlNGS. 

